Ma Lai Go – Chinese Steamed Cake

The reason for this post is to let you all know that I have added my delicious Ma Lai Go recipe to the Lovefoodies website, with a little explanation as to what exactly Ma lai Go is….so if any of you are still intrigued at the end of this mini post, click over to Lovefoodies and you will be enlightened!

I posted this recipe on my Facebook page yesterday and had several comments from fans who had eaten it before in China Town or whilst on holiday in Hong Kong, so I was pleasantly surprised. I was also happy to hear that some of my readers are going to try the recipe out, and if you will be one of those readers too, I promise you will not be disappointed with the taste and the light bouncy texture this cake has.

I have added many more recipes on Lovefoodies.com, so please skip over there and take your time, have a good look around and I am sure you will find some things you would like to eat or make. If you would like to keep up to date, please take a moment to subscribe to our newsletter from the website. Just look for the orange subscribe button, or click here to subscribe

If any of you have been to a Chinese restaurant, you have most likely seen this Wonton dish. It’s delicious! Often it is served in the form of a soup, with some vegetables and or noodles also in the broth. There are many ways to cook wonton, and there are also many fillings you can use. Here, I will show you my favourite fillings, and I choose these because of the flavours and texture sensations you get.

Almond Cookies! These little cookies are very popular at Chinese New Year and are often make in preparation for receiving family and friends over the New Year Celebrations. Offered with a nice cup of Chinese Tea, these cookies sure are popular!

How to make Chinese New Year Cake – Nin Gao

Chinese New Year cake, or Nin Gao (pronounced ‘Neen go’) is eaten at Chinese New Year of course! It has always been a favourite with my family when growing up as a child, quick and easy to make, and super tasty. If you haven’t tried it before, I think the texture will be something new to you. It’s a cake that is made a few days leading up to Chinese New Year, and then it can be stored in the fridge and eaten as and when you get the desire. It is usually cut into slices about 1cm thick, coated in beaten egg and then lightly fried until soft. Once cooked in egg, this is where you may get an unusual texture sensation. First you get a crispy, crunchy texture from the egg coating the cake, then you get a sweet chewy, almost toffee texture once you start chewing. It’s a bit like eating chewing gum, only the cake breaks down in your mouth whereas chewing gum does not.

Admittedly, it is not for anyone on a diet! There is a lot of sugar, and the use of glutinous rice flour also contributes to the calories, but as a celebration cake to be eaten once a year, I think indulgence is ok!

"There was for Saba, aforetime, a sign in their homeland [Yemen] two gardens to the right and to the left . . . be grateful to Him[Allah] . . .But they turned away, and We sent against them the flood released from the Dams [Maarib dam]" (Qur'an. Saba:15-16)

"They ask you what is lawful for them (as food ). Say:'Lawful unto you are At Tayyibât [all kind of Halâl (lawful good) foods which Allâh has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits, etc.)]. . . but pronounce the Name of Allâh over it, and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Swift in reckoning." (5:4)

Don't ever change yourself to impress someone, cause they should be impressed that you don't change to please others -- When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is, always remember that the teacher is always quiet during a test --- Unknown